Five Songs By Jefferson Airplane That You've Probably Never Heard.

Written by Billy Edd Wheeler, “High Flying Bird” has been covered and recorded by a good deal of artists beside Wheeler himself: Judy Henske, We Five, The New Christie Minstrels, Richie Havens and of course, The Jefferson Airplane.

Included in the 1996 compilation “The Best Of Jefferson Airplane,” “High Flying Bird” was performed and recorded by both of the Airplane’s female lead vocalists: Signe Toly Andersen, and Grace Slick.

A studio recording of this song on is on the compilation album “Early Flight,” (1974) however it features former lead singer, Signe Toly Andersen. A bootlegged live performance from a series of concerts in 1967 - 1968 (and I am not certain which venue – Winterland or the Fillmore East) is included in HHO Multimedia Ltd London’s 2007 release “Feels Like ’67 Again,” however, while still good, it is no comparison to the live performance given by the band at The Monterey Pop Festival (June 16 – 18, 1967), and yes, it’s Grace.

The song can be found on the albums: “Early Flight” (1974) “Feed Your Head” (1996) “Feels Like ’67 Again” (2007) “Live At The Monterey Festival” (1991) “High Flying Bird: Live At The Monterey Pop Festival” (2006) “Jefferson Airplane Loves You” (1992).

Photo Credit: ℗ Synergie Logistics Ltd, “High Flying Bird: Live At The Monterey Festival” (2006) [IMPORT]. It is the exact same concert as released by ℗ Thunderbolt Records in 1991, it simply has different cover art.

HIGH FLYING BIRD:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrcVXKvqrPc&index=4&list=PLRAdZfjRXp6oZRaJt_tNCVu-g9cZTW0fx

The 6th album recorded by Jefferson Airplane, and highly controversial due to its anti-war and pro-anarchist theme, 1969’s “Volunteers” is one of their best.

The album features an amazing line-up of guest musicians including Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Nicky Hopkins, and future Airplane drummer, Joey Covington.

There are a lot of great tracks on this album, but “Eskimo Blue Day” takes first place for its leisurely pace and poignant lyrics: “You call it rain but the human name, doesn’t mean shit to a tree.”

“Eskimo Blue Day” was included in several compilations, including 2400 Fulton Street (2007) and The Essential Jefferson Airplane (2005.)

ESKIMO BLUE DAY:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRAdZfjRXp6oioIPkni4XEqHe564d04S-

Featured on the Live Album “Thirty Seconds Over Winterland” (1973) and originally found on the album “Long John Silver” (1972), “Twilight Double Leader” holds its own and makes the cut on a few of the Airplanes' later compilations (Jefferson Airplane Loves You, (1992) Flight Box Set (2009).

The reigning champion of having quite possibly the strangest lyrics of a Jefferson Airplane song (and there’ve been some doozies) the song also packs a powerful punch of pure rock-out material.

You’ll find yourself, just as I did, rocking out and singing along without the slightest clue as to what you are actually singing about: “Get down now and roll around me. Get down now and be my queen. Get down now and roll around me. Chinese dance around the queen. Twilight double leader. Comin’ home to feed her. Charioteer – already been here. Determination Structure.”

“Twilight Double Leader” is one of my favourite Airplane songs, and I couldn’t even tell you why. I don’t know what the hell it means. I’ve been trying to figure it out for almost thirty years. If I ever do meet Grace Slick, I’m going to ask her; although I’m fairly certain that she’ll be damned if she knows either.

TWILIGHT DOUBLE LEADER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9fDUD0SmpA&list=PLRAdZfjRXp6rVJyeyXjQ9WfAnFUu2yByz&index=3

Written by Grace Slick, “Freedom” is the second track from Jefferson Airplane’s (1989) self-titled reunion album. “Jefferson Airplane” was their 8th and final studio album.
The progression of the sound of the band is evident on this album (Grace had left Starship and Jorma and Jack were busy with Hot Tuna) but at the very core - the heart and soul of this record - is still the same Airplane that we know and love.
While the singles “Summer Of Love” and “Planes” made Billboard Charts for that year, “True Love,” did not, and “Freedom” an equally great, if not better song, didn’t as it wasn’t released as a single.

FREEDOM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkuyMIGRZVw&list=PLRAdZfjRXp6oWerbmQCwH6CyVrBgnq_9A&index=3

** For some reason the above link to the [official page?] isn’t working. Here it is again: **
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxxuIXM1Z4E

Included in the 1992 three CD Boxed Set “Jefferson Airplane Loves You,” “Free Advice” was a song originally recorded by Grace Slick’s former band, “The Great Society.”

“Free Advice” was released as a single in 1966 as the B-side to “Someone To Love,” now re-titled and eternally linked to The Jefferson Airplane as “Somebody To Love” when Grace left the band and took the song with her.

Produced by Sly Stone and requiring more than fifty takes to perfect, “Free Advice” doesn’t disappoint. It may not have ever risen to the status of one of Rock’s all-time greatest songs like its A-Side counterpart, but it’s humourous, and a great song nonetheless.

"Woman says she loves me, she gives me free advice
Woman says she loves me, she gives me free advice
I wonder who it is she loves if she wants me to be so nice

Her friends, they are perfect but I'm always a fool
Her friends, they are perfect but I'm always a fool
She brings them all around to watch me blow my cool

The more she says she loves me the more she puts me down
The more she says she loves me the more she puts me down
It seems her head's caught up in some real fine merry-go-round."

FREE ADVICE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzHzWQGuxDc&list=RDUzHzWQGuxDc